Best Compact Microwaves

Buying guide for best compact microwaves

Ready to buy now? Shop the best: 

• Best of the Best: Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave
• Best Bang for the Buck: Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven
• Small & Sleek: BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven
• Easiest to Use: Comfee’ EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave
• Best Air Fryer Microwave: Toshiba Air Fryer Combo 4-in-1 Microwave 

When you want convenience in the kitchen, it’s hard to beat a microwave oven. In mere minutes — and with the simple push of a button — you can be hugging a mug of cocoa, enjoying a slice of hot pizza or watching a movie with a bowl of warm popcorn. Microwaves have become an indispensable element of the modern kitchen, but what do you do when your modern kitchen is starved for space? You look for a compact microwave.

Compact microwaves embrace many of the elements found in regular microwaves only in a smaller size. These appliances tend to be less expensive than their larger counterparts, lighter and better suited to a kitchen in which counter space is at a premium. These microwaves are a great option not only for small spaces but also for singles, couples or anyone who uses a microwave infrequently.

When shopping for a compact microwave, it helps to know about their specific features. Our top pick is the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave, which offers six presets and 10 power levels, so you can whip up your favorite foods in no time. 

Editors’ picks

Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave

Editors’ Favorite 

Dimensions: 16” D x 20.6” W x 11.8” H | Wattage: 1,000 W | Material: Black stainless steel | Child Safety Lock: Yes

The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave provides the perfect combination of a space-saving design and useful features. Its compact dimensions make it suitable for small kitchens or dorms, yet it has a 1.2-cubic-foot capacity that’s roomy enough to fit your favorite snacks and meals. Smart sensing technology detects humidity in food and adjusts accordingly, which helps eliminate undercooking or overheating.

Ten power options make this compact microwave a versatile machine that can do everything from warm leftovers to boil water. The six presets are designed to prepare several popular foods with the touch of a button. A child lock, beeper mute function and sleek control panel are all features consumers appreciate. 

In addition to its practical size and impressive feature set, this microwave looks great too. It sports a black stainless steel finish that gives it a contemporary look that blends well with other appliances. The smooth finish also wipes clean with ease, which makes cleanup a snap and keeps it looking its best. 

Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven

Great Value 

Dimensions: 13.27” D x 18.9” W x 11.52” H | Wattage: 900 W | Material: Metal and plastic | Child Safety Lock: Yes

You’ll get a lot of bang for your buck with the Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven, which is one of the most affordable on our short list. The compact measurements include 0.9 cubic feet of cooking space, so you can fit large portions of food. Powered by 900 watts, it cooks fast and evenly. The vivid digital display is easy to see, while the touch control panel is simple to navigate. 

This compact model includes essential features, such as 10 power levels for different warming and cooking needs. The six preset functions take the guesswork out of preparing popular foods such as potatoes, popcorn and pizza. Other must-have features include a child safety lock, mute setting, timer and memory function. Eco mode is effective at saving power.

Simple yet packed with useful features, this affordable model is ideal for those setting up a dorm or starting out in a first apartment. It’s also a good choice for anyone who needs a budget-friendly option that won’t take up a lot of space on a kitchen counter. 

BLACK+DECKER Digital Microwave Oven

Small & Sleek 

Dimensions: 13” D x 17.3” W x 10.2” H | Wattage: 700 W | Material: Stainless steel | Child Safety Lock: Yes

The Black+Decker Digital Microwave Oven is one of the most compact options that we considered. Although small (13 inches deep by 17.3 inches wide by 10.2 inches high), it has a sleek finish in stainless steel that gives it a contemporary look. While it’s great for dorm or apartment dwellers, it’s also perfect for anyone who wants a high-end look in a small package.

Like similar microwaves in its class, this Black + Decker model includes essential features, such as a child lock, vivid LED display and six preset functions. It also offers 10 power levels so you can easily customize cook settings. The smooth interior offers 0.7 cubic feet of space and is simple to wipe clean when food splashes or spills. 

Not only is this microwave compact in size, it’s also small in price. It’s an affordable model that’s made by a trusted brand and provides features you’d expect to find on a larger, pricier microwave. 

How we analyzed

When it comes to compact microwaves, size is the key feature consumers care about. We took this into consideration in our analysis, noting that small microwaves are typically used in apartments, small kitchens and dorms, where there isn’t much room to spare. We also looked at interior size to help you determine how much food a small microwave can fit.  

A microwave should also heat and cook effectively, so we looked at the power that’s offered by models in this size class. We also assessed controls, settings, safety features, appearance, ease of use and price to help shoppers find the perfect option. We applied all of this criteria to more than 30 microwaves before narrowing our list down to the very best compact models available today.

Key considerations

Design

Search online for “compact microwave” and you’ll quickly find yourself wading through dozens of different options, but what primarily differentiates one from another is appearance. That said, one primary question that you should answer when comparing microwaves is, does it work in your space? Do you have a specific color in mind or will stainless steel do? Are you searching for a space-age design or something more traditional? Some models offer design elements that may work better in your space, such as a rounded or angled back to fit into a particular place like a corner.

Size

Compact microwaves range in size from about 0.5 to 1.3 cubic feet (cu. ft.), but note that this is the inside dimension of the microwave. The outer dimensions are important if you have a specific or limited space that you’re trying to fill.

The overall dimensions of compact microwaves vary from standard-size models. On average, space-saving microwaves range in size from around 15 to 19 inches wide, 10 to 11 inches high and 12 to 16 inches deep. In comparison, standard microwaves are several inches wider, higher and deeper, making them a tight fit in many limited spaces. 

While the capacity of the microwave is important to know, be sure you also know that your microwave-safe cookware will fit into it – or you’ll have to buy new cookware to go with your new microwave. A dimension such as “0.7 cu.ft.” will give you a rough idea of a microwave’s capacity, but it won’t give you a clear picture of the turntable size (how large a plate will fit) or interior height (how tall a bowl will fit).

Installation

One way to free up precious counter space in a small kitchen is to mount the microwave under an existing cabinet. If this is important to you, be sure the compact microwave you’re considering can be installed this way. Theoretically, all microwaves can be mounted under a cabinet, but buying one that is specifically designed for this (and includes all the necessary hardware to do it) can save you considerable time and aggravation.

Cleaning

For ease of cleaning, verify that the inner turntable can be removed and cleaned in the dishwasher. Any exterior control buttons should be flush with the front so that dust and grime don’t build up around them. Some microwaves also have an easy-clean coating on the inside that makes it easier to remove spills and splatters.

Power

One simple rule of microwaves is the higher the wattage, the faster it cooks. In general, compact microwaves are lower wattage – and as such less powerful – than regular-size microwaves. Compact microwaves generally range from 600 to 1050 watts, although 700 watts is about average for this type of product. Most compact microwaves also incorporate a variety of power levels to choose from when cooking.

Controls

While some compact microwaves use rotary dials, most them have buttons or a keypad to control the microwave’s cooking elements. There will be some variation in what is offered on these keypads from one microwave to another, but some of the more common controls include the following:

• Food presets: These buttons enable you cook popcorn, pizza, potatoes, and other common items at the press of one button. Other presets can include frozen entrees or vegetables, soup, bread, beverages, and steamed vegetables.

• Quick Cook functions: Also known as Express Cook, you can quickly begin cooking or reheating something for one to six minutes at the press of one button. A similar option is the 30-second button (and the less common 60-second button), that adds time during the cooking cycle.

• Defrost: Usually included is a low-power Defrost button. This can be set by time, weight of the food, or both.

• Reheat: The microwave uses digital sensors to bring leftovers up to the right temperature.

• Timer: The microwave’s timer counts down the cooking time and can also be used as a kitchen timer if you’re cooking something on the stove, for example.

• Eco mode: This setting saves energy by turning off the digital display and other functions when the microwave isn’t being used. 
• Clock: The display on most microwaves can be set to include the time.
• Memory: Some compact microwaves have a memory mode that allows you to store cooking settings that are frequently used, so you can quickly access them by scrolling through your favorite saved settings. 

Safety features

If you have children, consider a microwave with built-in safety features such as a door lock. Some models have this feature built into the handle itself, while others employ a lockout feature controlled by the keypad, which requires you to input a code before the door will open.

Compact microwave prices

Compact microwaves usually cost less than their larger counterparts, but even in compact versions you’ll find a fairly wide range of prices. These start at around $60 to $70 for a simple microwave with few features and go up to $200 or more. At the higher price, you can expect to find a richer feature set, more power, and other advanced features, such as convection cooking.

Tips

• Opt for digital controls. Rotary dial controls are a valid choice if you seek simplicity, but you will lose out on a variety of convenient advanced features that digital keypads offer, such as one-button presets.

• Keep your microwave clean. Keeping it clean will not only prolong the life of the appliance but also help it to operate more effectively.

• Read the manual so you know what all the microwave’s features do. Every button on your microwave taps into specific sensors, temperatures, and timers. Learning how to use all these features can greatly improve your microwaving skills.

• Opt for two appliances in one. While not typical, some compact microwaves have a convection oven feature. This essentially gives you a second – albeit very compact – oven for your kitchen.

• Try multistage cooking. With multistage cooking, you can enter a sequence of cooking instructions, which allows you to cook foods at different power levels over the course of their preparation.

• Never run a microwave empty. Microwaves produce energy, and when there is nothing inside it to absorb the energy, the microwave components do it, and this can damage the appliance.

FAQ

Q. Why do compact microwaves have various power levels?

A. A range of power levels provides you with some cooking versatility. This allows you to cook some foods quickly, while taking your time with other foods that benefit from slower cooking. The number of power levels varies depending on the microwave, but ten is standard for compacts.

Q. What is the proper way to clean a microwave?

A. The best way to clean it is to use an all-purpose cleaner sprayed into a cloth and then wiped on the surface. Don’t spray the cleaner directly into the microwave because this can damage the vent holes. To loosen cooked-on foods, try heating a bowl of water to boiling inside the microwave.

Q. What kind of cookware can I use in a microwave?

A. Your absolute best bet is to use cookware that says “microwave safe” on it. In general terms, cookware made from glass, ceramic, or plastic should be OK, so long as it doesn’t heat up excessively when used in the microwave. Never put anything made of metal or containing metallic elements in the microwave.